HEART DISEASE and DIABETES Cardiovascular disease can take many forms: high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, stroke, or rheumatic fever/rheumatic heart disease. In the United States, more than 80 million Americans have some form of cardiovascular disease. About 2400 people die every day of cardiovascular disease. Cancer, the second largest killer, accounts for a little more than half as many deaths. Coronary artery disease, the most common form of cardiovascular disease, is the leading cause of death in America today. But thanks to many studies involving thousands of patients, researchers have found certain factors that play an important role in a person's chances of developing heart disease. These are called risk factors. Risk factors are divided into two categories: major and contributing. Major risk factors are those that have been proven to increase your risk of heart disease. Contributing risk factors are those that doctors think can lead to an increased risk of heart disease, but their exact role has not been defined. The more risk factors you have, the more likely you are to develop heart disease. Some risk factors can be changed, treated, or modified, and some cannot. But by controlling as many risk factors as possible through lifestyle changes, medicines, or both, you can reduce your risk of heart disease. WHAT IS DIABETES? Diabetes mellitus is a condition where the body cannot make or respond properly to the hormone insulin. Your body needs insulin to change glucose ("blood sugar") into energy. With diabetes, your body cannot properly use the energy from the food you eat. When this energy transfer breaks down, the cells are damaged. Since the cells cannot take in glucose, the amount of glucose in your blood increases. Too much glucose in the blood is called "high blood sugar" or diabetes. Diabetics need to limit their intake of calories, fat and sugar to control their blood sugar levels.
There are two major forms of diabetes: type 1 and type 2.
Type 1 or juvenile diabetes. This type of diabetes accounts for 5% to 10% of all cases of diabetes. Although it may occur at any age, type 1 diabetes usually begins early in life—during childhood or the teenage years. Type 1 diabetes occurs because the cells in the pancreas that make insulin are damaged. People with type 1 diabetes make little or no insulin to control their blood sugar levels, which means they must take insulin to stay alive.
Type 2 diabetes. This is the most common form of diabetes. It is usually diagnosed in people older than 30, but it can occur in children and young adults. People with type 2 diabetes can produce insulin, but it is either not enough or the body does not use it properly. Blood sugar levels usually can be controlled with diet and exercise. In a mild form, type 2 diabetes can go undetected for many years. If left untreated for too long though, it can lead to serious medical problems, including heart and blood vessel disease.
What are the risks?
Diabetes weakens the body's ability to fight infection and heal wounds
People with diabetes are more likely to have foot problems, heart and kidney disease, and a type of gum disease (called periodontal disease) that can lead to tooth loss
Diabetes can lead to blindness
Heart problems are the leading cause of death among people with diabetes, especially in the case of adult-onset or Type 2 diabetes
Diabetes affects cholesterol and triglyceride levels
People with diabetes also have higher risk for high blood pressure and obesity, which increases their risk even more
African Americans, Hispanics, Asian and Pacific Islanders, and Native Americans have a greater risk of developing diabetes
Cardiovascular disease can take many forms: high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, stroke, or rheumatic fever/rheumatic heart disease. In the United States, more than 80 million Americans have some form of cardiovascular disease. About 2400 people die every day of cardiovascular disease. Cancer, the second largest killer, accounts for a little more than half as many deaths.
Coronary artery disease, the most common form of cardiovascular disease, is the leading cause of death in America today. But thanks to many studies involving thousands of patients, researchers have found certain factors that play an important role in a person's chances of developing heart disease. These are called risk factors.
Risk factors are divided into two categories: major and contributing. Major risk factors are those that have been proven to increase your risk of heart disease. Contributing risk factors are those that doctors think can lead to an increased risk of heart disease, but their exact role has not been defined.
The more risk factors you have, the more likely you are to develop heart disease. Some risk factors can be changed, treated, or modified, and some cannot. But by controlling as many risk factors as possible through lifestyle changes, medicines, or both, you can reduce your risk of heart disease.
WHAT IS DIABETES?
Diabetes mellitus is a condition where the body cannot make or respond properly to the hormone insulin. Your body needs insulin to change glucose ("blood sugar") into energy. With diabetes, your body cannot properly use the energy from the food you eat. When this energy transfer breaks down, the cells are damaged. Since the cells cannot take in glucose, the amount of glucose in your blood increases. Too much glucose in the blood is called "high blood sugar" or diabetes. Diabetics need to limit their intake of calories, fat and sugar to control their blood sugar levels.
There are two major forms of diabetes: type 1 and type 2.
- Type 1 or juvenile diabetes. This type of diabetes accounts for 5% to 10% of all cases of diabetes. Although it may occur at any age, type 1 diabetes usually begins early in life—during childhood or the teenage years. Type 1 diabetes occurs because the cells in the pancreas that make insulin are damaged. People with type 1 diabetes make little or no insulin to control their blood sugar levels, which means they must take insulin to stay alive.
- Type 2 diabetes. This is the most common form of diabetes. It is usually diagnosed in people older than 30, but it can occur in children and young adults. People with type 2 diabetes can produce insulin, but it is either not enough or the body does not use it properly. Blood sugar levels usually can be controlled with diet and exercise. In a mild form, type 2 diabetes can go undetected for many years. If left untreated for too long though, it can lead to serious medical problems, including heart and blood vessel disease.
What are the risks?